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Seamlessly Edits Between Premiere Pro & DaVinci Resolve: The Complete Round-Trip Guide | Jidefilms

Howto & Style

Introduction

Editing videos can often be a complex task, but it can also be very rewarding when done correctly. This guide will take you through the process of editing a podcast video using Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. The project involves an intricate workflow that includes editing in Premiere Pro, color grading in DaVinci Resolve, and finalizing back in Premiere Pro.

Understanding the Initial Footage

The video project discussed was a podcast shot with a Sony A7 III, which captures 8-bit footage. This is important because understanding the limitations and strengths of your camera's output is crucial in post-production. After shooting, we produce a first draft in Premiere Pro, which serves as a foundation for further enhancements.

Editing in Premiere Pro

Cutting and Refining

In Premiere Pro, we start by cutting the footage to remove mistakes, duplicates, or unnecessary dialogue. Since this shoot involved only one camera angle, we creatively added movement by zooming in and out on key points, giving the video visual interest.

Example Workflow

  1. Cut Mistakes: Use the cutting tool to remove errors in dialogue or unwanted segments.
  2. Add Motion: Utilize the scale feature to zoom in/out smoothly during edits for added dynamism.
  3. Text Effects: Create text overlays that seem to emerge from the background, using masks to add depth.

Exporting for DaVinci Resolve

Once editing is complete, you have two main export options:

  • Export as a Single MOV File: Quick but generates large file sizes, making it ideal for grading if using the same PC.
  • Export as an XML File: More organized, allowing for individual clips to be graded scene by scene in DaVinci Resolve.

Color Grading in DaVinci Resolve

Importing and Setting Up

After exporting from Premiere Pro, you can import your project into DaVinci Resolve. Use the shortcut Control + Shift + I to bring in your first XML export.

Color Grading Techniques

Inside DaVinci Resolve:

  1. Input Color Space Transform (CST): For footage from Sony cameras, set it to Sony S-Log 3 or 2.
  2. Grade Your Clips: Utilize nodes to adjust colors, ensuring each node targets a different element (shadows, mid-tones, highlights).

Finalizing Footage

Once color grading is complete, export the graded clips back to Premiere Pro. Make sure text and audio are handled separately because adjustments in Resolve won't reflect in Premiere.

Final Touches in Premiere Pro

Back in Premiere Pro, import the colored video and arrange it with text overlays and music. This is also where final audio treatment can occur to enhance the overall quality of the podcast.

Conclusion

Seamlessly transitioning between Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve can enhance your video projects significantly. With solid editing and grading workflows, you will elevate your storytelling and visual aesthetics.

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FAQ

1. What is the primary purpose of using both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve? Combining both software allows for comprehensive video editing in Premiere and detailed color grading in DaVinci, optimizing each stage of post-production.

2. How can I export my project from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve? You can export as a single MOV file or an XML file, depending on whether you want every clip to be individually editable.

3. What are the advantages of color grading in DaVinci Resolve? DaVinci Resolve provides advanced color correction options, including various color space transforms and node-based grading, giving significant control over the look of your footage.

4. Can I add text and audio in DaVinci Resolve? While you can, it’s recommended to finalize text and audio in Premiere Pro as it provides more robust tools for those elements.

5. Is there a risk of losing quality when switching between software? No, as long as you export correctly, maintaining the right formats and settings ensures no quality loss through the transition.